On October 2, 2018, the Pacific Crest Trail is celebrating the 50th year since its inception as a National Scenic Trail which is a designation that protects it from private land development and preserves the trail for thousands of hikers every year. The fall season is also the season that thru-hikers around the USA are reaching their terminus. To celebrate the occasion, we’re featuring some monumental stories of growth and exploration.
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Adventure Storytellers: Meghan Robins, Alexandria Cremer
From: Portland & Bend, OR
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Pacific Crest Trail 50th Anniversary

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This week's featured adventure stories

Meghan Robin's Adventure Story: Raging River Crossings in the High Sierra

Meghan Robins is a writer, currently working on her first novel, who grew up in Lake Tahoe and shares this story about her experience on a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail while backpacking in the snow-packed Sierra Nevada Mountains. She describes how she realized what it takes to keep moving forward after she had already crossed off the option of turning back.

Find out more: 

• Website: www.MeghanRobins.com
• ​Instagram: @megawords

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Alexandria "Soulshine" Cremer's Adventure Story: Self Arrest

Alexandria touched on two really important topics in her story that we wanted to explore more deeply.

Success from going prepared. This means 3 things:

1. Having the right tools for safety, in this case her ice axe
2. Having the skill to use that tool. Alexandria learned how to use the ice axe from a friend and fellow through hiker while on trail and had practiced using it.
3. Having the tool available at the right time. It’s not enough to have the equipment or tool packed, it must be accessible at the precise time it’s needed. For example, the story by Sam Yeaman featured in last week’s episode, #75, touched on having a compass but not checking it because it was buried deep in a backpack. The consequence was getting way off course and spending unexpected nights outside in the snow. 

 If you’re going to take the time to pack it, take the time to make it available to use it when you need it.

Social Media

Alexandria also talks about this photo she posted on Instagram.

​The photo shows her smiling and triumphant but does not give the viewer any inclination of the sheer terror she experienced just moments before.

There Alex is, standing on top of a rock with an ice axe held in her right hand poised above her head. She’s standing without a speck of snow under her feet. She looks happy, and has no inkling of fear on her face that would cue the viewer to know that the ice axe she’s holding was just driven into the ground so she could save her own life. 

This is the limitation of social media. 

A conversation has come up around Boldly Went several times in the last month about how we feel our self-esteem slipping after browsing Instagram for too long...and by too long I mean a couple minutes. I’m comforted to know that 1) I’m not alone in that and 2) I can easily fix it by closing the application and doing things that actually matter, like moving my body or hanging out IRL with friends. 

Think of Alexandria’s example the next time you’re browsing through social media. See how it affects the way you see the beautiful photos you’re scrolling through. Consider how people intentionally and unintentionally cultivate an image that doesn’t tell the full story and how you could be doing the same thing. 

Check Blogly Went later this week for a guest post by Ana Hinz @willrunforwhisky for additional thoughts about social media.

After we met Alexandria in Portland, she went back on trail and we are very happy to report to you that she successfully made her way to the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the middle of September. Congratulations, Alex!

Twitter: AlexandriaC92
Instagram: @alexandriasadventure
Blog: Alexandriasadventure.com

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Boldly Went Social Media Values

• Rule #1: We try to be our most authentic selves both at our live shows and in the way we show ourselves on social media. For example, Angel frequently don’t brush her hair or wear anything nice at Boldly Went Live Shows. Tim lets his beard grow in any time they hit the road.
• Rule #2: Never retake photos especially if retaking because we think we don’t look good in them. Post the first shots. Sometimes they're cute, oftentimes ugly and hilarious. That’s real, buddies, and that’s what you’re getting from Boldly Went. 
• Rule #3: Drop the pretense and get comfortable.

This week we've been talking about the PCT,  and that lesson relates directly back to our experience there. As thru-hikers, we got used to smelling like butts and looking like crusty turds for 5 months straight, and we got to know lots of other people who were in the same boat. To this day, when we meet fellow thru-hikers, all pretense goes out the door and we immediately cut through any facade. All we can see in front of us is a smelly butt with interesting qualities and characteristics.

So that’s a value we want to carry over - on social media, as well as in person. We want that to be how Boldly Went feels for you. We want you to feel at home with your best adventure buddies...you know... the people you throw fits with, who help you rub cream on your chafe, who you share farts with, and who help you develop the skills you need to accomplish your adventure.

• Rule #4: Tell your awesome stories just because you're awesome. Really, you are. To keep you from taking it to seriously, we agree to continue rewarding you with a shitty prize. 

So be who you are, buddies. Now go post your last bad photo on Instagram and tag us @boldlywentadventures. We’ll love you for it and others will too.

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Happy 50th Anniversary PCT!!!

• The PCT (and the Appalachian Trail) are celebrating their 50th anniversaries as National Scenic Trails.
  
• The National Trails System Act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on Oct. 2, 1968.
  
• The Pacific Crest Trail Association and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy are hosting a 4 hour webinar to celebrate the occasion on Tuesday Oct 2, 2018 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time featuring Jennifer Pharr Davis, a thru hiking icon, and Cheryl Strayed, the best selling author of the book Wild.
  
• Join in by visiting www.ATPCT50.org

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Music

Ukelele Jam, Maricz. 
Chris Haugen, Campfire Song.
Tape Deck, Endless Love.

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